apple crisp

"Life starts all over again

when it gets crisp in the fall."

Jordan Baker, The Great Gatsby

Happy First Day of Fall! I absolutely LOVE this season: brisk air and cool evenings, pumpkin patches and apple picking, crunchy, crinkling leaves, changing colors.  I agree wholeheartedly with Ms. Baker. Fall bring renewal and refreshment.

s'mores cupcakes

Toasted marshmallow, chocolate, graham cracker ~ an amazing combination forever associated with campfires, summertime and fun. The Daughter and I present it to you in cupcake form!

We baked it for her 13th birthday. I cannot believe she's a teenager, and indeed, the years fly by. She has grown to be a wonderful little lady and sous chef; I love having a baking buddy in the kitchen. Now, if only I could convince her that washing dishes is just as fun as creating the mess...

peanut butter and jelly cupcakes {msc}

I know a girl who would eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every school day, day in, day out. I wish My Kids were that easy. Said girl would love this baking club assignment, though I wonder if she'd want one after her sandwich lunch. Maybe for breakfast?

monkey bubble bread

Our first encounter with Monkey Bread was 10 years ago, in Ocean City. There's a cute kiosk dedicated to this baked delight. If you've never had the pleasure of encountering one, imagine this: yeasty, puffy balls of dough, enrobed in caramelized, sticky, buttery, cinnamon sugar. It's a finger-lickin', tongue-ticklin' treat, most suitable for a gathering of sugarholics. This snack is meant to be eaten fresh out of the oven or definitely day-of, if it lasts that long.

ocean city, new jersey

Our annual pilgrimage down to the Jersey Shore (south of Snooki's haunts) was delayed by Hurricane Irene this year, but when we finally got down to Ocean City, the air was crisp, sky was clear and the water, a bit murky. No worries, as The Kids aren't huge beach fans —don't ask— and are more interested in the variety of amusements and boardwalk fare.

The offerings are innumerable. These are a few of our favorites.